5 Lhasa Apsos Are So Neglected, They Don’t Even Look Like Dogs. Now, They’re Unrecognizable

Ileana is a writer on the Original Content team. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Neglected dogs are always heartbreaking, but some cases are stunning even to animal rescuers.

Rick Chaboudy, the executive director of Suncoast Animal League (SAL) in Palm Harbor, Florida, has been working in the animal-rescue field for over 30 years.

In February 2017, he got a call from Robin Roberts, founder of Critter Mama Rescue, Inc. about five Lhasa apsos that were in such bad shape, her foundation couldn’t care for them.

Rick immediately agreed to help the dogs, but when he saw them, even he was shocked.

Robin had gotten a call earlier in the day from the dogs’ owner, who had said he couldn’t care for the dogs any longer. Robin told The Dodo that she assumed this case would be like her others: owners who had taken care of their dogs, but couldn’t anymore because of life circumstances.

When the owner showed her the five Lhasa apsos, though, her jaw dropped. She knew they would need more help than she could offer them.

The five dogs, whom Rick began referring to as “The Fab Five,” all had their own medical problems: Helen had a uterus infection, Lilly had cancer, and Sequoia had a hole in her cornea. Rick worked to get them all the care they needed, and he vowed to help these senior dogs happily live out the rest of their days.

I am from Scotland and I have followed their story and it’s brilliant to see how they have progressed over the last few weeks, and it’s all down to the dedication and love that they have received from your team.

I hope they all find wonderful forever homes — what lucky people to have one of these beautiful dogs to take home and cherish.